Secret Service Prevents Possible Second Assassination Attempt on Trump
WASHINGTON – The Secret Service maintained a heightened level of security around former President Donald Trump during his golf outing on Sunday, successfully averting a reported assassination attempt when an agent saw a rifle among the bushes.
Experts noted that the agents in West Palm Beach appeared to manage the situation appropriately, especially following extensive criticism after a previous attempt, where a gunman shot at Trump from approximately 150 yards away using an AR-style rifle.
However, the recent event at one of Trump’s Florida golf courses highlights the difficulties in safeguarding a presidential candidate who enjoys a visible public profile, engaging in activities like golfing and outdoor rallies, as indicated by analysts speaking to YSL News.
“Typically, even for a sitting president, security measures would be implemented as they have here,” stated A.T. Smith, who served as deputy director of the Secret Service from 2012 to 2015.
Smith explained that this involves agents doing their best to let other golfers enjoy their game while carefully scanning the area for any potential threats as Trump played.
“You wouldn’t necessarily close down the entire course. Instead, the approach taken today seems appropriate; they likely conducted a preliminary sweep of the course and then created a moving protective bubble around Trump,” he added.
According to Secret Service protocols, this protective bubble would shift alongside Trump, monitoring a range extending three to five holes in front and behind him while utilizing advanced technology to detect potential threats, as explained by Smith. “They advance ahead of him and accompany him as he travels along the course.”
Continuing Established Security Procedures
Smith and former Secret Service Director John Magaw acknowledged that there are still many details to uncover about the incident in the coming days, including whether aerial surveillance drones were used to oversee the course. Both experts expressed concern about how a suspect managed to get a rifle—reportedly with a telescopic sight—within 400 yards of Trump while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Course.
Magaw commented that it seems the Secret Service followed proper procedures, particularly for a political candidate like Trump, who does not receive the full security detail afforded to a sitting president.
“It appears they are following the same protocols as before,” Magaw remarked. “They are one hole ahead of him, scrutinizing bushes and wooded areas for any dangers.”
Increased Scrutiny After Previous Threats
Concerns about the Secret Service’s ability to protect Trump and other high-profile individuals heightened after the GOP nominee was shot by an attacker during a campaign rally on July 13 in Butler, Pa.
Trump suffered an injury to his right ear, while one rally attendee was killed, and two others sustained injuries in that attempted assassination. Following this event, Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned, and the agency vowed to enhance security measures to prevent any future vulnerability of its many protectees.
On Sunday, an insider familiar with the ongoing investigation stated it remains unclear if the suspect was able to fire a shot before being engaged by Secret Service agents, and that aspect is being examined as part of the inquiry.
This source, who requested anonymity to discuss operational matters, confirmed that the agency was indeed increasing its security measures as part of its response to the earlier assassination attempt.
In this incident, a Secret Service agent positioned in front of Trump during his golf game noticed what appeared to be a rifle barrel, and officials indicated that agents then fired upon a suspect located near the property line shortly before 2 PM.
Authorities later discovered an AK-47-style rifle, a scope, a backpack, and a GoPro camera at the scene. Officials reported that Trump was approximately 400 to 500 yards away from the alleged assailant.
Visibility Issues Due to Golf Course Vegetation
Authorities swiftly arrested the suspect, Ryan Routh, shortly after the incident, stated David Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County. The FBI later confirmed they are looking into what seems to be an “attempted assassination” of Trump.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw commended the agency’s quick response, affirming that “the Secret Service acted properly and provided the needed protection. The agent did an outstanding job in identifying the suspect.”
However, Sheriff Bradshaw noted that Trump’s protection at the golf course was scaled back because he is no longer a sitting president, and that the shrubbery surrounding the course limited visibility. He explained, “When someone gets into the shrubbery, they’re mostly hidden, which poses challenges for our level of security. If he were a current president, the entire golf course would have been secured.”
“But given that he’s not, security measures are restricted to the zones identified as necessary by the Secret Service,” Bradshaw continued. “I suspect that during his next visit to the golf course, there will likely be increased security personnel around the perimeter.”
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, expressed serious concerns on X about the Secret Service’s capacity to safeguard Trump.
“Two assassination attempts within 60 days on a former President and the GOP nominee is downright unacceptable,” Khanna commented. “The Secret Service must come before Congress immediately, outline what resources are needed to enhance security, and let’s allocate those resources in a bipartisan vote the same day.”